Official: Zelenskyy Hasn't Fired Army Chief
Facts
- Amid multiple reports suggesting that Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukraine's top general, was sacked on Monday, a spokesman for Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected the reports and said Zaluzhnyi was still in his position.1
- Speculation started to build after several Ukrainian news outlets — including Ukrainska Pravda, Ukrinform, and the Kyiv Independent — in addition to prominent Telegram channels, reported that the commander-in-chief had been summoned to a meeting with Zelenskyy.2
- The Telegram channels, which reportedly had been known to share undisclosed information from the Ukrainian president's office, then broke the news of Zaluzhnyi's alleged sacking. That then sent journalists rushing to confirm the story, soon prompting the rejection that came from the presidential press office.3
- When asked if reports of Zaluzhnyi's dismissal were true, spokesman Sergii Nykyforov said: 'Definitely not. The president has not dismissed the commander-in-chief.'2
- Ukraine's Defense Ministry also issued a statement addressing the allegations on Telegram, stating: 'Dear journalists, we immediately answer everyone: No, this is not true.'2
Sources: 1The New Voice of Ukraine, 2Independent and 3The Kyiv Independent.
Narratives
- Pro-Ukraine narrative, as provided by The Kyiv Independent. Despite the confusion and the conflicting reports, a spokesman for the Ukrainian president confirmed that the reports were untrue and that Zaluzhnyi will not be vacating his role.
- Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by The Week. Although the sacking was ultimately not confirmed, this entire episode has only served to strengthen existing suspicions that there are increased tensions and in-fighting at the very top of Ukraine's military command.